Silverside

Atherinidae

The Old World silversides, belonging to the family Atherinidae in the order Atheriniformes, are a widely distributed group of bony fish (teleost). With their presence in rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, they are considered abundant and highly prevalent in both tropical and temperate regions across the globe. Out of the 74 known species, approximately two-thirds inhabit marine environments, while the remaining species are found in freshwater habitats. Among the 13 genera within this family, Craterocephalus stands out as the most diverse, encompassing 25 distinct species. Additionally, four of the genera are monotypic, each consisting of a single species.